Ina-Yoko Teutenberg wins stage and solidifies lead at Tour of Chongming Island

Teutenberg wins while wearing yellow. CHONGMING ISLAND, China – Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (HTC Highroad Women) defended her hold on the yellow jersey in style as she won the second stage of China’s Tour of Chongming Island on Friday, unleashing a devastating sprint at the end of a 118.4km race through the Chongming Industrial Zone.

The day took on an almost leisurely pace until the peloton reached the second of two intermediate sprint marks. Charging for bonus time at the 83.2km mark, the HTC Highroad team took advantage of a strong headwind to launch an attack, pulling along a total of 18 riders, including the entire HTC roster. The escapees held on to finish 1:20 ahead of the main field, which included Teutenberg’s closest rival, stage 1 winner Elizabeth Armitstead.

Teutenberg launched her sprint over the final 100 meters, winning ahead of Annemiek Van Vleuten (Nederland Bloeit) and Charlotte Becker (HTC Highroad Women). The 36-year-old Teutenberg also solidified her lead in the points classification of a race often referred to as a “sprinters’ paradise.”

Teutenberg said she was pleased to beat riders considerably younger than she.

“I am the oldest rider so that I have more experienced in a sprint like this, but the top ten are very close, every of them could win the race,” said Teutenberg who returns to the Tour of Chongming Island as defending champion.

“I’m happy to win the stage and also take over the yellow jersey. But every day is a new race and we have to be prepared for anything,” said Teutenberg.

Team Nederland Bloeit team manager Jeroen Blijevens said that he disagreed with Teutenberg’s assessment.

“I believe Teutenberg is a lock to win the stage and the overall tomorrow,” Blijevens said. “I don’t see anyone who could beat Teutenberg in the bunch sprint.”

Vluenten is second in GC behind Teutenberg for 17 seconds; the best Chinese rider Zhao Na in 21st behind 2:07.

The day’s best Asian rider Maneephan Jutatip (Thailand national team) also joined the winning break.

“The Europeans are really amazing; it was hard for me to sit in the high speed train, and that head wind made the race hard,” Jutatip said.

The final stage of the Tour will feature a 79.2km ride, which starts and finishes in the central city of Chengqiao Town and incorporate 11 laps around a 7.2km circuit.